Library Services

How to Get a Library Card

En Español: Como obtener tarjeta de biblioteca

Besides allowing you to check out books, CDs, videos and other media, your library card gives you access from home to premium research databases and other digital content. You can look up magazine and newspaper articles, use a variety of databases, and find new books and authors to read. Your card also allows you to borrow or stream ebooks, eaudiobooks, video, and music.

You can even use your library card to book and use a library meeting room for meetings that are free & open to the public.

Who Can Get a Library Card

Library cards are available free to California residents with photo I.D. and proof of address.

Special homebound borrower cards are available for persons who are unable to visit a branch library because of physical disability or extended illness.

Applying for a Library Card

You may apply for a library card in person at any one of our branch libraries.

You may also apply for a library card by filling out the online Registration form.

Bring your ID to your nearest branch library during open hours to complete the process and receive your card. A card is required to check out physical items.

Application Requirements

Adults:

Any official identification with a name and picture is an acceptable form of picture identification.

Examples include: In state, out of state, or international driver's license or state identification; US or international passport; Matricular Consular (obtained from Mexican Consulate); student identification; picture bus pass; credit card with picture; employee card with picture, etc.

You must also show verification of your mailing address if you wish to use your card at the time you apply for it. Otherwise, it will be mailed to you.

Youth and Children:

Applicants under 18 may apply for a card without providing identification or proof of address. Applicants are allowed to check out one item at the time of registration. Applicants may not use the card again until the card has been received in the mail.

Applicants who can provide identification and proof of address or who apply in the presence of a parent who can provide such proof may have full use of the card at the time of registration.

Parent signatures are not required for children's cards, but we do wish parents to understand our confidentiality and other rules for the use of children's cards.

Visitors:

Library Card Fee

Library cards are issued free of charge to eligible applicants.

Do Library Cards Expire?

Library cards are set to expire so that patron information can be re-confirmed. For most patrons, the card is set to expire every four years on the borrower’s birth date. Cards for short-term residents expire each year. Except for visitor cards, all library cards are renewable.

Your Right to Privacy

California Law (Government Code Sec. 6267) obligates the library to treat all borrower records confidentially. This means that we cannot give information to anyone other than you about your library account or what you have checked out on your library card.

Available at these branch libraries:

• Available at all branches

Last updated on April 19, 2023